Hunt after serious sexual assault on man in park
Police are hunting a group of men following a serious sexual assault on a lone man at a Maidstone park.
The recreation ground, flanked by Cumberland Avenue, Owletts Close and Kings Reach in Shepway, was cordoned off following the attack, reported to have happened between 7pm and 8.30pm on Tuesday.
The sole victim of the seemingly random attack was a man in his 40s.
Officers are seeking a group of men in the area at the time, and want to speak to anyone else who was nearby.
The men are not believed to be known to the victim, who was unable to say how many were in the gang, or provide a description of his attackers.
Police would also like to make contact with a man and a woman who offered to help the victim as he walked past some shops in Deringwood Drive, Downswood, after the incident.
They were walking a small white dog at the time.
Following the assault a largescale search of the park began.
Neighbours reported seeing police officers there shortly after midnight, and on Wednesday morning residents woke to find that the site had been taped off. Officers could be seen with sniffer dogs, forensic teams, PCSOs and neighbourhood policing teams scouring the area. The cordon was lifted later on Wednesday.
Police are also reviewing potential CCTV evidence.
Dilip Patel, 65, business partner at Londis in Cumberland Avenue, phoned police less than an hour before the attack to report a gang of youths causing problems in the area, but no officers came.
Mr Patel, who has worked in the area for 34 years, said: “I rang 999 at 6.30pm. Kids were playing loud music, coming in and out of the shop. It was out of control.
“There were about 15 of them, aged between 12 and 14. There were girls too, but only boys in the group were causing trouble. Police need to do something about it. They tell you to ring 101 but they don’t do anything.
“People round here are frightened to say anything in case there are repercussions.”
Anyone with information should call police on 01622 604100 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.